After shooting 19-under, the Lady Vols finish fourth in the Clemson Invitational.

Lady Vols Finish Strong in the Clemson Invitational: Shooting 19-Under to Secure Fourth Place

The Tennessee Lady Vols golf team has always been a formidable force in collegiate golf, but their performance at the 2025 Clemson Invitational may have been one of their most impressive showings in recent memory. With a stellar team effort, the Lady Vols shot 19-under par over the course of the three-day event, earning a well-deserved fourth-place finish. This finish marks a significant step forward for the program, showcasing the Lady Vols’ ability to compete with some of the best teams in the nation and setting the tone for a bright future ahead.

Held at the prestigious Clemson University Golf Course in Clemson, South Carolina, the Invitational attracted a strong field of teams, including many highly-ranked programs. The Lady Vols, who had shown flashes of brilliance throughout the season, arrived in Clemson with high expectations. Despite the stiff competition, Tennessee’s performance at the event proved that they are a team to be reckoned with.

In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the Lady Vols’ performance at the Clemson Invitational, exploring key moments from the tournament, individual standouts, and the broader implications of this impressive finish for the program’s trajectory. This event was more than just another top-five finish—it was a statement of intent from a team that is poised to take the next step in the world of college golf.

A Strong Start: Setting the Tone Early

From the very first day of competition, the Lady Vols demonstrated they were ready to compete. The course conditions at the Clemson Invitational were perfect for scoring, and the Lady Vols made the most of it. As the first round unfolded, it became clear that Tennessee was going to be a major contender throughout the tournament.

Led by senior Rachel Smith, Tennessee’s team started strong and finished their opening round with a solid score of 8-under par. Smith, who has been a key figure for the Lady Vols throughout her career, fired a remarkable 4-under 68, putting herself in the top 10 individually and setting the tone for the rest of her team. Smith’s leadership and consistency on the course were critical throughout the tournament, but it was her ability to stay calm under pressure and deliver in key moments that made the biggest difference.

Not to be outdone, junior Ella Davis and sophomore Emily Williams both made significant contributions on day one as well. Davis, known for her precision off the tee, posted a 3-under 69, while Williams, with her all-around game, carded a 2-under 70. Both players brought stability to the Lady Vols’ lineup, and their strong performances in the opening round helped the team position itself well for the rest of the event.

As a team, Tennessee finished the first round tied for fourth place, just a few strokes behind the leading teams. The Lady Vols’ strong opening round was a testament to their depth, and it set up an exciting second day of competition. However, the real test was yet to come—could they maintain their momentum and improve their standing as the tournament progressed?

Second Round: Maintaining Consistency

The second round of the Clemson Invitational saw Tennessee face some stiff challenges as the competition began to heat up. The Lady Vols were up against some of the best programs in the country, including powerhouse teams like the University of Alabama, the University of South Carolina, and the host team, Clemson. Yet despite the stiff competition, Tennessee proved that they had the resilience and composure to keep up.

Rachel Smith continued her strong play, finishing with an even-par 72 for the round. While it wasn’t the spectacular performance that she’d put together in round one, her consistency was crucial for the Lady Vols to maintain their position. Smith’s ability to stay level-headed, particularly when the pressure was mounting, allowed her to continue contributing valuable points for her team.

Ella Davis, whose approach shots were consistently on point, once again provided stability for the Lady Vols. Davis carded another solid score of 3-under 69, moving herself into the top 10 individually. Her ability to recover from challenging holes and make birdies when needed helped keep Tennessee in the hunt. Davis’ performance, marked by her sharp short game and steady putting, was one of the highlights of the round.

Emily Williams, who had shown promise in the opening round, delivered another solid performance, shooting a 1-under 71. Williams’ performance was particularly noteworthy because of how she handled the pressure of the event. Her ability to play consistently under the high-stakes nature of the tournament made her an indispensable asset to the team.

As a result of these strong individual performances, the Lady Vols finished round two with a team score of 6-under, keeping them in the hunt for a top-five finish. Heading into the final day, Tennessee was still within striking distance of the top spot, just a few strokes behind the leaders.

The Final Round: A Flourish to Remember

On the final day of the Clemson Invitational, the Lady Vols faced their most significant challenge yet. With a strong field of competitors still in contention, Tennessee needed a strong performance from every member of the team to secure a high finish. The Lady Vols rose to the occasion, delivering one of their best rounds of the season.

Rachel Smith, who had led the team all weekend, finished strong with a 3-under 69, bringing her total score to 8-under for the event. Smith’s ability to stay composed under pressure, particularly in the final round, highlighted her leadership and maturity as a player. With this performance, Smith finished in the top 10 individually, a fitting end to an outstanding performance by the senior.

Ella Davis continued her impressive play, carding a 2-under 70 in the final round. With a steady, consistent performance throughout the tournament, Davis finished 7-under overall, just a few strokes off the lead. Her poised performance was critical to Tennessee’s overall success and showed that Davis has the potential to be one of the top players in collegiate golf in the coming years.

Emily Williams also had a standout performance in the final round, finishing with a 1-under 71. Though her final score wasn’t as low as some of the others, Williams showed her value with a steady, reliable presence throughout the tournament. Her ability to keep the ball in play and avoid mistakes made her an indispensable contributor to the team’s fourth-place finish.

Freshman standout Zoe Thomas was another key figure for the Lady Vols in the final round. Playing in her first Clemson Invitational, Thomas displayed poise and maturity beyond her years, finishing with a score of 2-under 70. Her strong finish, highlighted by several key birdies, helped the team close out the event in style. Thomas’ potential to be a future star for the program was evident, and her performance gave Tennessee even more confidence moving forward.

As a team, Tennessee finished the final round with a score of 5-under, bringing their overall total to 19-under par for the tournament. That final round performance, combined with their steady play in the first two rounds, earned them a fourth-place finish—a remarkable result in a highly competitive field.

Key Takeaways: A Statement of Progress

The Lady Vols’ fourth-place finish at the Clemson Invitational was a significant achievement for the program. While they didn’t come out on top, the fact that they were able to compete so strongly against some of the best teams in the nation is a testament to their growth and development under head coach Kim Caldwell. Here are a few key takeaways from the event:

1. Team Depth and Balance: The Lady Vols have demonstrated impressive depth this season, with every member of the team contributing consistently. From the leadership of Rachel Smith to the rising star of freshman Zoe Thomas, Tennessee’s roster is well-rounded. The team’s ability to rely on multiple players to step up at different times throughout the tournament shows they are not overly dependent on any one player to carry them.
2. Strong Leadership: Rachel Smith’s performance, both as an individual and as a team leader, was key to Tennessee’s success at the Clemson Invitational. As a senior, Smith showed the poise and experience necessary to guide her teammates through the highs and lows of the event. Her steady hand and ability to deliver when needed will be invaluable as Tennessee looks to build on this result.
3. Bright Future: The strong play of younger players like Zoe Thomas and Emily Williams suggests that the Lady Vols have a bright future ahead. With a combination of seasoned veterans and emerging stars, Tennessee is positioning itself to be a force in women’s collegiate golf for years to come. The program’s upward trajectory is clear, and this tournament result could be a sign of even bigger things to come.
4. Competitiveness at the Highest Level: Finishing fourth in a highly competitive tournament like the Clemson Invitational shows that Tennessee is not far from being able to challenge for a title. With teams like Alabama, South Carolina, and Clemson regularly dominating the national rankings, the Lady Vols’ ability to hang with these elite programs is a promising sign of where the program is headed.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for the Lady Vols?

The Lady Vols’ performance at the Clemson Invitational is a solid step in the right direction, but their journey is far from complete. As they look ahead to the remainder of the season, the team will focus on building upon this momentum. Their fourth-place finish shows that they are capable of competing with the best, but to take that next step, they’ll need to continue to fine-tune their game, improve their consistency, and develop their younger players.

The rest of the season will offer the Lady Vols more opportunities to prove themselves on the national stage. With their sights set on SEC and national championships, Tennessee has the potential to make a deep run in postseason play. The Clemson Invitational, while not the ultimate goal, has proven that the Lady Vols are capable of achieving greatness once again, and their future is undeniably bright.